GROUNDING OF A STEAMER

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 828, 28 February 1903, Page 3

GROUNDING OF A STEAMER

By Telegraph—Press Association

Blonhoim, last night. Tho Union Company's s.s. Penguin, which left Picton for Nel-ton last night at 10 o’clock, wont ashoro at Waihi Point, noar Jackson’s Head, at about midnight, duriug a dense fog. Tho ground she took was covered with kelp, and she got off this morniDg at 6 o’clock, apparently undamaged, and returned to Picton. Tho Ponguin resumed her voyage to Nolson at 11 o’clock. A testimonial for Captain Maoarthur was got up by the pussengers. FURTHER PARTICULARS. Per Press Association.! Nelson, last night. Tho steamer Penguin, which went ashore during a fog at midnight on Thursday, about a milo on tho Picton side of Jackson’s Head, but floated off at 6.30 a.m. and returned to Picton, reached hero at 7 this evening. She was inspected by the Government engineer and surveyor, and allowed to sail to Wellington at 10 o’clock to bo placed on the slips there. Tho vessel is water tight, and there is no apparent damage to the hull. She had 52 passengers and about 40 of a crew on board. Tho former included General Babington, Mr Graham, M.H.R., Mr Reeves, M.L.C., Col. Wolfe, and a number of ladies. There was ho confusion on tho accident occurring, and all preparations wore mado. The passengers speak in terms of warm admiration of Captain McArthur, officers, stewards, and crow. At dinnor, Mr Graham, M.H.R., presented a testimonial to tho captain, signed by every passongor, testifying their appreciation of his skill and coolness. Tho testimonial sot forth that many of tho passengers wore frequent travellers, and woll acquainted with the difficulties of navigation along that part of the coast, and their unanimous opinion was that tho accident undor tho circumstances was unavoidable. On arrival at Nelson cheors woro given by tho passengors for the captain and crew.